Portable collapsible commode

ABSTRACT

A portable collapsible or knockdown type of commode having a bottom section, a body section and a cover section. The body section is open at the top and bottom and is foldable between an open operative position and a flat inoperative position. In its open position, the bottom end of the body may be supported on the bottom with the cover overlying the upper end of the body. In its folded condition, the body may be stored completely within the bottom section and the cover section inserted over the bottom section to provide a flat package.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Paul F. Kerr 31835 Chicohe, Hayward, Calif. 94544 [21] App1. No. 7,903 [22] Filed Feb. 2, I970 [45] Patented Aug. 24, 1971 [54] PORTABLE COLLAPSIBLE COMMODE 12 Claim, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 4/116, 4/110 [51] 1nt.Cl A47kl1/02 [50] Field otSearch 4/135, 137, 142,116,115,111,114,l10,117,1l8,l54,152, 153, 146

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,026,413 5/1912 Sul1ivan.. 4/135 1,947,940 2/1934 lsom 4/137 2,073,390 3/1937 Giblette 4/137 2,893,017 7/1959 Beck 4/142 X 3,001,206 9/1961 Strahlke 4/138 X 3,118,146 1/1964 Dorey..... 4/137 3,142,847 8/1964 Kurrels... 4/l42 3,452,368 7/1969 Couper.... 4/142 Primary Examiner-Henry K. Artis Attorneyl-1arris Zimmerman ABSTRACT: A portable collapsible or knockdown type of commode having a bottom section, a body section and a cover section. The body section is open at the top and bottom and is foldable between an open operative position and a flat inoperative position, In its open position, the bottom end of the body may be supported on the bottom with the cover overlying the upper end of the body. In its folded condition, the body may be stored completely within the bottom section and the cover section inserted over the bottom section to provide a flat package.

PATENTEUAUB24IB?I 3,600,718

III I I I I r! I III! INVENTOR PAUL E KARR ATTORNEY PORTABLE COLLAPSIBLE COMMODE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Campers, fishermen, hunters and similar devotees of outdoor living, frequently find the absence of sanitary facilities to constitute a serious problem. In the past, various types of portable toilets or commodes have been proposed, but those of the prior art have not fully answered the needs and requirements of the persons desiring to utilize the same. By way of example, certain of such devices require the assembly of a plurality of wall sections, thus making it time consuming and inconvenient to erect the same. Also, in most instances, the prior art structures were not sufficiently compact and neat in appearance when in knockdown position to acquire any substantial degree of commercial success.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a portable commode which may be simply and rapidly converted from a flat knockdown compact package to an operative structure, and which, when so erected, is extremely strong and durable.

THE DRAWING locking means of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In broad terms, the commode of the present invention includes a bottom section 6, a body section 8, and a cover section 10. As will be later explained in more detail, these three sections when placed in their operative interfitting relationship define a sturdy portable commode 12 as illustrated in FIG. 1. However, when not in use, or for the purpose of storage or transport, the sections may be placed in their inoperative flat condition as illustrated in FIG. 3.

, All three sections are preferably formed of a suitable rigid plastic which results in a lightweight unit, but one which will safely accommodate the weight of a person using the same.

Bottom section 6 includes a bottom wall 16 of generally square configuration and short sidewalls 18. 20, 22 and 24 extending upwardly therefrom in the nature of a skirt.

Body section 8 is provided with four walls having an open top portion 26 and an open bottom portion 28. Two opposed walls 30 and 32 are solid, while the other two opposed walls 34 and 36 are each provided with a medial fold line 38 extending from top to bottom thereof. It will also be noted that the intersections 40 between adjacent walls constitute hinges or fold lines. In this manner, if the body section 8 is in its operative open position as shown in FIG. I, it is possible to fold or collapse the same by merely pushing inwardly on sidewalls 34 and 36, thus pushing the fold lines 38 towards each other. To facilitate opening of the sidewalls, apertures 42 may be provided on walls 34 and 36 along the fold lines 38. A person may insert his fingers in such openings and by pulling outwardly, expand the body to its open operative position.

The width of each body sidewall (including that of walls 34 and 36 in their open condition) is such that the open bottom end portion 28 may be telescopically inserted within the bottom section 6. Preferably, the body is inserted by leaving the walls 34 and 36 slightly folded and resting the portion 28 on the bottom wall. The walls 34 and 36 may then be completely opened into their operative planar condition wherein the outer surfaces of the lower end portions of the body sidewalls will lie closely adjacent the inner surfaces of the sidewalls of the bottom section.

In order to prevent accidental folding of sidewalls 32 and 36 when the body is so engaged with bottom section 6, suitable cooperating means are provided on the respective walls. As here shown, opposed bottom section walls and 24 are provided with recessed portions 46 medially of their longitudinal extent. The walls 34 and 36 are adapted to mate with walls 20 and 24 and each of such body walls is provided with a tab 48 extending on both sides of fold line 38 and formed by cutting slots 50 in such walls. The lower end of each tab 48 is preferably disposed above the bottom end of its associated wall. Thus, in assembling the apparatus, the tabs 48 are placed exteriorly of the bottom section sidewalls 20 and 24 and seat in the recesses 46 provided for therein. This will, of course, prevent any inward folding of sidewalls 34 and 36.

To further lock the body and bottom sections together in a releasable fashion, bottom section sidewalls, such as walls 20 and 24 are provided with inwardly directed detents or studs 52 which engage with apertures 54 provided on the body section sidewalls 34 and 36. This permits the two sections to be moved as a unitary member and without coming apart.

As will be understood, the height of the body section sidewalls is such that when the body section is collapsed, as shown in FIG. 3, the same may be laid entirely within the bottom section 6.

Cover section 10 is somewhat similar to bottom section 6 and includes a top wall 58 and sidewalls 60 generally defining a downwardly directed skirt. Sidewalls 60 are adapted to embrace the top portion 26 of the body section when the same is operatively inserted in the bottom section 6. Also, such sidewalls will overlie the bottom section sidewalls when the apparatus is in its knockdown condition to provide a compact self-contained package.

Top wall 58 is provided with an opening normally covered by a lid or cover 64 connected to such wall by a flexible strap 66 to permit the cover to be moved to the phantom line position of FIG. 1 to expose the opening. The cover preferably has a plurality of detents or studs 68 extending laterally outwardly therefrom engageable with suitable recesses provided in the top wall adjacent the opening therein for normally retaining the cover in its closed conditionparticularly when the apparatus is in its knockdown condition.

If desired, in order to provide a support for a roll of toilet tissue, tabs 70 may be struck outwardly from one sidewall of the body section, the tabs having inwardly opposed portions 72 which may be inserted in the hollow core of such a roll.

In use, after the body section is interfitted with the bottom sections as above explained, a flexible waterproof bag 74 of polyethylene or the like is inserted into the body section with the open end of the bag folded over the upper end portion of the body section. The cover is then inserted over the body section, thereby clamping the bag end therebetween.

After use, the cover is removed, the bag removed and suitably discarded, the body section removed, folded and placed within the bottom section, and the cover section inserted over the bottom section to provide the knockdown package.

Where the above-described sections are injection molded, means other than the tabs 48 and recesses 50 can be utilized to properly, maintain the respective sections in their operative assembled relationship.

As there shown, the bottom section 6 is provided with a continuous upwardly directed groove at the intersections of bottom wall 16 and each of the sidewalls thereof. Such groove will functionally and resiliently engage the lower end portions of the body section sidewalls to hold the sections together and also prevent accidental inward displacement of the body sidewalls along their fold lines.

Cover section 10 is provided with a similarly downwardly directed groove 82 for frictionally and resiliently receiving the upper end portions of the body section sidewalls.

Also, in the knockdown condition of the parts, the sidewalls of the bottom section will be frictionally and resiliently secured within the cover section groove 82 so as to prevent accidental separation of the knockdown package.

lclaim:

l. A portable collapsible commode comprising a bottom section having a bottom wall and relatively short sidewalls extending upwardly from said bottom wall, a body section having four sidewalls and hingedly connected together and an open top and open bottom, two opposed sidewalls each having a fold line extending from the top to the bottom thereof and positioned medially of the other sidewalls whereby said body section may be selectively folded into a flat inoperative position and an open operative position, the lower end portions of said body'section sidewalls being telescopically engageable within said bottom section sidewalls when said body section is in said open operative position, and the height of said body section sidewalls permitting insertion of said body section entirely within said bottom section when said body section is in said flat inoperative position, and a cover section having a top wall and relatively short sidewalls depending therefrom, the upper end portions of said body section sidewalls being telescopically engageable within said cover section sidewalls when said body section is in said open operative position, said cover section sidewalls fitting over said bottom section sidewalls to form an enclosure when said body section is inserted. within said bottom section, and means in said cover section top wall defining a closable opening.

2. A commode as set forth in claim 1 in which said lastnamed means includes an opening in said cover section top wall, and a cover hingedly connected to said top wall adjacent 'said opening and movable from a first position completely exposing said opening sad opening 3. A commode as set forth in claim 2 including means resiliently maintaining said cover in said second position.

4. A commode as set forth in claim 1 in which each of said sections is formed of plastic.

5. A commode as set forth in claim 1 including cooperating means on said bottom section sidewalls and said foldable sidewalls of said body section for releasably maintaining said body section in said open operative position.

to a second position substantially sealing 6. A commode as set forth in claim 1 in which said foldable sidewalls of said body section fold inwardly, and cooperating detent means are provided on said bottom section sidewalls and said body section sidewalls for releasably connecting the bottom section to the body section when the body section is telescopically inserted into said bottom section.

7. A commode as set forth in claim 6 in which said detent means includes at least one stud projecting inwardly from one of said bottom section sidewalls and at least one aperture adjacent the lower end of a body section sidewall for'releasably receiving said stud.

8. A commode as set forth in claim 5 in which said cooperating means includes a resilient tab on said opposed sidewalls and extending across said fold lines, said tabs being positioned exteriorly of said bottom section sidewalls when said body section is operatively positioned within said bottom section in its open position.

9. A commode as set forth in claim 8 in which opposed sidewalls of said bottom section are provided with inwardly directed recesses for receiving said tabs.

10. A commode as set forth in claim 1 in which said opposed foldable sidewalls of said body section are provided with finger engageable openings along said fold lines, and one of said body section sidewalls having tabs struck therefrom with such tabs having oppositely directed portions for receiving a toilet tissue roll.

11. A commode as set forth in claim 1 in which said bottom section is provided with an upwardly directed groove at the intersection of the bottom and sidewalls thereof for frictionally receiving the lower end portions of said body section sidewalls.

12. A commode as set forth in claim 1 in which said cover section is provided with a downwardly directed groove at the intersection of the top and sidewalls thereof for selectively frictionally receiving the upper end portions of said body section sidewalls and the upper end portions of said bottom section sidewalls. I 

1. A portable collapsible commode comprising a bottom section having a bottom wall and relatively short sidewalls extending upwardly from said bottom wall, a body section having four sidewalls and hingedly connected together and an open top and open bottom, two opposed sidewalls each having a fold line extending from the top to the bottom thereof and positioned medially of the other sidewalls whereby said body section may be selectively folded into a flat inoperative position and an open operative position, the lower end portions of said body section sidewalls being telescopically engageable within said bottom section sidewalls when said body section is in said open operative position, and the height of said body section sidewalls permitting insertion of said body section entirely within said bottom section when said body section is in said flat inoperative position, and a cover section having a top wall and relatively short sidewalls depending therefrom, the upper end portions of said body section sidewalls being telescopically engageable within said cover section sidewalls when said body section is in said open operative position, said cover section sidewalls fitting over said bottom section sidewalls to form an enclosure when said body section is inserted within said bottom section, and means in said cover section top wall defining a closable opening.
 2. A commode as set forth in claim 1 in which said last-named means includes an opening in said cover section top wall, and a cover hingedly connected to said top wall adjacent said opening and movable from a first position completely exposing said opening to a second position substantially sealing sad opening
 3. A commode as set forth in claim 2 including means resiliently maintaining said cover in said second position.
 4. A commode as set forth in claim 1 in which each of said sections is formed of plastic.
 5. A commode as set forth in claim 1 including cooperating means on said bottom section sidewalls and said foldable sidewalls of said body section for releasably maintaining said body section in said open operative position.
 6. A commode as set forth in claim 1 in which said foldable sidewalls of said body section fold inwardly, and cooperating detent means are provided on said bottom section sidewalls and said body section sidewalls for releasably connecting the bottom section to the body section when the body section is telescopically inserted into said bottom section.
 7. A commode as set forth in claim 6 in which said detent means includes at least one stud projecting inwardly from one of said bottom section sidewalls and at least one aperture adjacent the lower end of a body section sidewall for releasably receiving said stud.
 8. A commode as set forth in claim 5 in which said cooperating means includes a resilient tab on said oppoSed sidewalls and extending across said fold lines, said tabs being positioned exteriorly of said bottom section sidewalls when said body section is operatively positioned within said bottom section in its open position.
 9. A commode as set forth in claim 8 in which opposed sidewalls of said bottom section are provided with inwardly directed recesses for receiving said tabs.
 10. A commode as set forth in claim 1 in which said opposed foldable sidewalls of said body section are provided with finger engageable openings along said fold lines, and one of said body section sidewalls having tabs struck therefrom with such tabs having oppositely directed portions for receiving a toilet tissue roll.
 11. A commode as set forth in claim 1 in which said bottom section is provided with an upwardly directed groove at the intersection of the bottom and sidewalls thereof for frictionally receiving the lower end portions of said body section sidewalls.
 12. A commode as set forth in claim 1 in which said cover section is provided with a downwardly directed groove at the intersection of the top and sidewalls thereof for selectively frictionally receiving the upper end portions of said body section sidewalls and the upper end portions of said bottom section sidewalls. 